Citation: J. H. Maiden, J. Proc. R. Soc. N.S.W. 51:238 (1917).

Derivation: prainii—in honour of Sir David Prain, F.R.S. (1857-1944), Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Synonymy: A. prainii var. linearis Maiden, J. Proc. R. Soc. N.S.W. 51:239 (1917). A. prolifera J. M. Black, Trans. R. Soc. S. Aust. 44:375 t.22 (1920).(Synonymy following consultation with B R. Maslin, Perth.) , Acacia dentifera

Common name: Prain's wattle

Description:
Erect, bushy, glabrous shrubs 1.5-2.5 m high, branching near ground level into a number of erect ascending stems; branchlets slightly angular; bark smooth, reddish-brown.

Phyllodes linear more or less quadrangular due to the prominent resinous yellowish veins on each face, so as to appear 4-ribbed and 4-furrowed, 3-10 cm long, 1-2.5 mm broad, rigid, straight or slightly curved, glabrous, dull-green, apex tapered into a thick reddish-brown pungent point; glands small situated 5-12 mm from the base, on the upper margin.

Inflorescences in axillary glabrous racemes much shorter than phyllodes, usually consisting of 3-5 pedunculate heads, which are at first enclosed by brown ovate ciliate early deciduous bracts, raceme rachis sometimes growing out into a new shoot after flowering; flower-heads globular, mid-yellow, 15-20-flowered; peduncles slender, 6-10 mm long, glabrous; flowers 5merous.

Legumes narrowly oblong, straight or slightly curved, 4-8 cm long, 5-6 mm broad, chartaceous, glabrous, slightly viscid, brown, margins slightly constricted between seeds. Seeds longitudinal in legume; funicle very short, aril oblique small.

Distribution:  North-Western region, Nullarbor region around Maralinga and Barton then eastwards into the Gairdner-Torrens region near Mount Finke. In open scrub to tall shrubland associated with Eucalyptus socialis, and Acacia ramulosa. Soils; brown calcareous earths or red siliceous sands. Rainfall 150-200 ram. Also W.Aust. and N.T. S.Aust.: NW, NU, GT, EP. Flowering time: July — November.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Cultivation: An attractive shrub when in flower. A useful ornamental suitable for low shelter belt planting in arid areas. Moderate growth rate.

Author: Not yet available

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